NEWS- BANNER

5/18 Improving reports so far this morning. Winds settled down yesterday and anglers had a good day of fishing on Hamilton Lake, Hills Creek Lake, and Pine Creek. Water temperatures are coming back up slowly on the lakes and the crappies are being caught mostly in deeper water. Temps in the high 70's on Friday should really heat things up again and get the fish biting on th Corps lakes.

People fishing on Hamilton caught a number of trout, bass, pickerel, crappie, and perch using live minnows, chartruese marabou jigs, gulp! minnows, and various plastics. Anglers targetting trout did well with chartruese, rainbow, and salmon peach powerbaits. Rapala Countdowns and Yo Zuri Pin minnows also worked.

Anglers fishing Hills Creek lake found good numbers of bass, pickerel, and some panfish using jerkbaits, live minnows, and shiners. Even a few walleyes were caught this week too! Fish were caught both in the stumps and down in the deeper water by the dam. Hills creek is still very clear. Stick to natural colors to start with.

Water temperatures rose to the low 50's on Pine Creek again and anglers saw good hatches of March Browns and Sulphurs. Size 14 or 16 sulphur duns worked particularly well in upper pine creek. If you like fly fishing Pine Creek, be sure to get out there these next few weeks! The Green drakes will be here in just a few weeks. Caddis are still on the water, but most found fish feeding on the mayflies. Emerger patterns also worked.

(5:30PM EDIT)- Talked a a few people this aternoon that were out on the Corps lakes. bite was still tough on Hammond and Tioga, but water temperatures are coming back up! Most areas were at about 57, but shallower bays were as high as 62. this is great news heading into the weekend. Another day like this and the bite will be turning on again! Friday should be an excellent day to be on the water.